WARNING SIGNS OF RELAPSE

Some of the mental states and warning

signs that precede a relapse into compulsive

overeating are found in the Big Book of

Alcoholics Anonymous, pages 35-43

���� Not accepting a spiritual remedy

���� Failing to enlarge a spiritual life

���� Ignoring or denying my feelings

���� Getting into slippery places when not in fit spiritual condition

���� Thinking a little couldn’t hurt me

���� Ignoring reasons for NOT eating compulsively

���� Using trivial excuses

���� Deliberately eating compulsively and feeling justified by nervousness, anger,

worry, depression, jealousy, etc.

���� Giving little thought to the consequences that might ensue

���� Getting a thrill out of eating compulsively in spite of the warnings

���� Continuing to eat compulsively despite warnings

���� Thinking it does not apply to me because I’m not that bad

���� Telling myself that it won’t happen again

���� Not admitting that I am a compulsive overeater.

HOW CAN WE PREVENT RELAPSE?

�� Keeping in touch with your sponsor

�� Ongoing housekeeping

�� Keep going to regular meetings

�� Daily 10th Step

�� Not taking the 1st bite

�� Keeping the 1st Step in the forefront

�� 1st Things first ~ Recovery

�� Rigorous honesty in all my affairs

�� Humility ~ Not getting cocky

�� Prayer ~ Meditation

�� Daily contact with other members

�� Carrying the message

�� Principles in all our affairs ~ helping others

whether they are in OA or not

�� Making amends [promptly]

�� Remembering other people’s relapse

stories

�� Daily reading of OA, AA literature

�� Daily surrender ~ “Thy Will, Not Mine”

�� Regular Service

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER A RELAPSE?

�� A regression in all areas of life

�� A slow slide backwards

�� A sudden jolt caused realization of relapse ~ accompanied by guilt, shame, etc.

�� A noisy head

�� A detour from discipline of living OA program

Not only from food, including isolating, less

meetings, more shame

�� Denial & Justifying; Self Will … Self Pity

�� Picking up the first one ~ which is often the last event in the chain

WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT BEING IN RELAPSE?

�� Keeping in touch with your sponsor

�� Keep contacts ~ Sponsors, Other OA members, Phone personal contacts

�� Don’t be afraid to ask for help

�� Pray for willingness

�� Keep reading literature

�� Write down or phone in food plans

�� Remember our powerlessness

�� Be kind to self

�� Focus on positive aspects of your recovery or solution, not problem

�� Acceptance of self and your powerlessness

�� Don’t make comparison to others

�� Service

�� Turn up early to meetings

WHAT TO DO FOR SOMEONE IN RELAPSE?

�������� Keep Calling

�������� Acceptance

�������� Encouragement

�������� Sharing

�������� Share your own struggles; let them know

they are not alone

�������� Remind them that relapse is not contagious

and they are welcome in the meetings

�������� Help get them to a meeting

�������� Encourage them to find a service position to

keep them coming back

�������� Remind them that they only have to concern

themselves with today

�������� Pitfalls of perfect recovery

�������� Ringing, loving, hug, not afraid

HOW CAN GROUPS HELP THOSE IN RELAPSE?

�� Support and be there for them, e.g., phoning

�� Hold a Relapse and Recovery workshop

�� Establish a 12-Step Within Caller service

position to reach out to members who have

not attended the meeting in a while